10. Chapter 8

Harry slung a strong arm round my shoulders, pulling me closer to the side of his warm body. It was dark outside, the street dimly lit by the flickering street lamps as we walked away from his car. It was weird, as much as Harry frightened me, I felt safe with him. It may have been the fact that I knew no one would choose to pick a fight with him.

“Do you do this with all the girls?”

Harry glanced down to look at me.

“What do you mean?” He questioned.

I diverted my gaze down to the floor as we continued to walk.

“Frighten them into being with you.” I spoke quietly.

He chuckled at my words, his fingertips pressing into my shoulder.

“So I do frighten you.” He confirmed to himself.

He paused before speaking again.

“You’re the only one, most girls are more than willing.” He smirked.

The wind blew, whipping my long hair back. I shivered slightly as the cool breeze touched the uncovered skin of the top of my chest and neck. Harry tugged me closer as he noticed me pull my jacket tighter round my body.

“Your Mum told me she wouldn’t be back tonight, you can stay at my place.”

“What? No.” I abruptly stopped.

His arm fell from my shoulders before he took my forearm tightly in his large hand.

“I want you to stay at mine.” Harry’s raspy voice spoke.

“I’ll be fine on my own.”

I could see his jaw tense at my objection. But he chose to leave it.

***

I got the impression Harry knew the bouncer on the club door. They shook hands before the well-built man moved to the side allowing us in, much to the annoyance of the people that were stood waiting in line.

My fingers entwined with Harry’s as he tugged me through the sweaty crowd and over to a booth at the back. There was a group already sat down, empty glasses littered the table as they tried to talk over the pounding music. Harry was warmly greeted before he tugged me in front of him. His arms wrapped round my waist as he introduced me to everyone. I politely smiled and nodded before sliding along the seat to sit next to a beautiful girl who smiled at me.

“So Bo, what do you think of Harry?” Hayley asked.

She tucked her black hair behind her ear as she spoke. I looked over at Harry who was talking to a guy not too far away.

“Um, he has a bit of an anger problem.” I admitted.

Hayley smiled as I spoke the obvious. She shuffled closer to me before taking my forearm and leaning in.

“He likes you.”

Hayley nodded encouraging as she pulled back. I smiled at her before jumping as a hand was placed on my shoulder. I peered up to see Harry. He shrugged his blazer off placing it over the seat, revealing his white t shirt.

“I’m going to get us a drink.”

“Thanks.”

I watched as he walked away, another person coming into view.

“I’m Jake.” He said, sliding in to sit next to me.

“Bo.”

A couple of minutes later Hayley squeezed my arm, smiling.

“We’re going to dance.” she informed us.

I watched as the rest of the group got up from the booth before I lost sight of them as they dispersed into the crowd. It was just Jake and I. My eyes scanned for Harry, but he was still at the bar.

“So, are you Harry’s girl now?”

I turned my head to Jake, his smile put me on edge. He attempted to discretely slide closer to me, a movement that I was very aware of. His knee brushed mine.

“No.” I shook my head.

I didn’t want to belong to anybody. I urgently tried find Harry in the massive crowd in front of us. A gasp fell from my lips as a hand gripped my thigh. I looked down, Jake’s fingertips pressed into my leg before sliding higher.

“That makes things easier then.” He smiled.

I pried his fingers from my body, attempting to slide away from him but he held onto my wrist. I was hauled from the booth and dragged down a dimly lit corridor.

***

“Get off me.” I struggled in his tight grip.

“Harry was right, you are feisty.”

I shrieked as he yanked me out the back door after him. He caught me as I stumbled into his arms.

“Steady on.” He sniggered.

I dug my heels into the ground as he attempted to drag me away from the building down the side passage. He turned round to face me, causing me to cower back.

“Don’t make this difficult.” He spat.

I started to panic as he led me further away, the sound of the music gradually decreasing. He caught hold of my shoulder, roughly shoving me against the wall. I winced, squeezing my eyes closed at the contact. When I opened them again, Jake’s gaze had dropped to my chest. His fingers slowly trailed down my front. I was frozen to the spot, my mind quickly raced. I did the only thing I thought physically possible at the time.

“HARRY!” I shouted.

I filled my lungs with air to scream again but a clammy hand quickly covered my mouth.

“Shut it.”

I know it wasn’t much of a choice but I would pick Harry over Jake anytime. Even though Harry scared the shit out of me, I hoped that he would help me if I was in trouble. I whimpered as his fingertips painfully pressed into my hips, holding me in place.

“What the hell are you doing?” A voice growled behind Jake.

Jake’s touch withdrew from my body, a breath I didn’t know I was holding, releasing from my lips.

“Just having a bit of fun, mate.” He laughed.

“Not with her.” Harry stepped closer “She’s mine.”

For the first time since meeting Harry I was glad of his presence. He was angry, I could tell by the way he clenched his fists and tightened his jaw. His green eyes seemed to grow darker as he stared at me.

“Bo.”

Harry held out a hand in my direction. My eyes flicked from his outstretched limb up to his face. I hastily accepted the gesture, my body uncomfortably grazed past Jake’s as Harry tugged me towards him. I was pulled behind his tall figure; he protectively stood in front of me as I peered round his body.

“Come on, Haz.” Jake joked. “We were just having some fun, right Bo?”

Jake looked at me to reply, but I didn’t answer him. Instead I caught hold of the back of Harry’s t shirt, moving behind him fully. My fingers desperately fisted the fabric, too frightened to let go.

I obeyed him, my legs jogging down the passage to the backdoor of the club. I hung on to the doorframe, slightly leaning out. Their voices were difficult to make out, but I suddenly understood what was going on when Harry’s fist smashed into Jake’s face. He stumbled back, his body slumping against the wall. Harry didn’t hesitate to knee him in the stomach, Jake yelping in pain. He brought his fist down again, the strength in his arm causing serious damage to Jake’s face as blood gushed from his nose. I gasped as Harry got on top of the badly injured guy. His clenched right fist repeatedly pounding into Jake.

I couldn’t watch any longer. Harry was going to kill him if he kept on, and I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t stop. I ran quickly back to them. My heart pumped as I tightly gripped Harry’s shoulders, desperately trying to pull him off. But he wouldn’t budge.

“Harry, Harry stop!”

His arm drew back to land another punch, my hands wrapping round the strained muscle.

“You’re going to kill him.”

I was forced to let go as his arm pulled away from my hand, his fist once again hammering into Jake. My eyes grew wide as I watched Harry beat the life out of him. I had now witnessed first-hand why people were so scared of him. Jake’s face was covered in blood, cuts and bruises quickly starting to form. I immediately started to panic; I was going to be called up as a witness to a murder if I didn’t do something.

“I’ll go with you!!” I shouted.

Harry’s head quickly turned to me causing dark curls to fall over his eyes. He pushed them back as he stared at me. I had his attention.

“Please. I’ll go with you if you stop.” I spoke quieter.

It took him a second to make the decision. Climbing off Jake and taking my hand. I was tugged along the passage way to the back door of the club. I urgently glanced back to see Jake groaning in pain on the floor. His crumpled body curling up as he brought his knees to his chest. He was a horrible person but I didn’t want to see him killed.

We walked along the dim corridor where the toilets were. No matter how much Harry frightened me, he had still come to my rescue, even if it did end in him nearly beating someone to death. I abruptly stopped, Harry’s body turning to face me.

“Bo, co..”

He couldn’t finish his sentence as I had forced him to the wall. Harry looked shocked for a second as I placed my hands on his broad shoulders. I hesitantly leaned up. Hot breath fanned over my face as my lips momentarily brushed his. My eyelashes fluttered at the sensation. Pulling back slightly, I couldn’t read his expression. I slowly leaned in again, waiting. Large hands were placed on my hips as his face came closer. His nose cautiously brushed mine almost testing to see if I would pull away. I didn’t. Harry’s plump lips softly pressed to mine. They were warm, his movements gentle compared to how he had kissed me before.